...And what a busy season it has been with REALISE running again at Archway, books being published and launched and a short stint tutoring children in Rome on an English immersion summer camp.

Another eight young people have successfully completed the REALISE programme, leaving with ArtsAwards, blogs, Creative Arts portfolios and a new bunch of mates to boot. Brilliant! The programme was marked by really high personal and social standards with the community lunchtimes becoming really important and the young people actually arriving early to go and do the shopping and cooking themselves before sharing the food together as a group.  A particular highlight for this group of young people was a trip into Leeds where we explored the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds Art Gallery and Leeds City Museum. Find out more about what the REALISE group got up to by visiting the project blog here: http://realisecreativearts.tumblr.com/

Rather excitingly I was involved with the publication of two books this summer. One that was written by children for children called I Spy and a How To books for other professionals, parents or teachers wanting to run similar projects. The books were launched in a special celebration assembly where I was made guest of honor, sitting centre stage, talking about the project and also doing an impromptu book signing! The project was inspired by Victoria Ryle from Kids Own Publishing in Australia. Click here to find out more about them: http://kidsownpublishing.com/)

Also in exciting news, a pilot project that I was involved in last summer where I designed a self help folder to aid patients with diabetes to self manage has been given a massive pot of funding to be rolled out across Bradford. Look out for the folders at a GP surgery near you! I will be updating my website soon with images and so on from this work so keep your eyes peeled!

And now Autumn is upon us and what has this season in store for me?

Well I am working in partnership with Dixons Trinity Academy in Bradford over the next year to develop skill levels amongst the young people in additional studies. All pupils pick an area of additional study and then stick with it for the year, becoming a master at their chosen skill. Our first big project is going to be to create large scale banners to hang around the school, brightening up the new building and also promoting our project around the school.

In addition I am hoping to be working with more groups to publish books written by children and young people for children and young people. Lastly, I am heavily involved with private tuition, tutoring all ages in a variety of Creative Arts skills including fashion illustration, basic drawing skills and developing illustration and anime style drawings. If you are interested in private sessions then please get in touch on sarah@sarahjanemason.com